Best Poly Pages Podcasts (2025)

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How Do You Write Fantasy Characters? | Ep. 291 | The Merry Writer Podcast 28:52

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5d ago28:52

28:52

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Are you creating a rich world for your new fantasy story? Ready to populate it with different types of characters? In today's episode, we discuss writing fantasy characters and what you might want to think about when creating them. In this episode, we cover: What is a fantasy character? Types of fantasy characters Things to consi…

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ReWilding our Horses, Rewilding our Souls with Kelly Wendorf of the EQUUS 1:12:00

6d ago1:12:00

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How do we heal ourselves from the 'lost-ness' that afflicts our culture? How do we move on from the strange—and wholly untrue— belief our culture holds that we are separate from the natural world, that our cycles of exploitation, extraction, destruction, pollution are the way the world is, that this is the natural order and there's nothing we can d…

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How Can Accountability Buddies Work Together? | Ep. 290 | The Merry Writer Podcast 28:21

12d ago28:21

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Writing can be a lonely journey, which is why it's best to have a friend to do it with. And why not keep each other accountable with your work? In this episode, we cover: What an accountability buddy is How to choose a partner Having regular check-ins Having goals As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts …

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Building the roots of a world that will work - with Victoria Hurth, co-author of Beyond Profit 1:30:09

13d ago1:30:09

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'Each of us was put on this earth at this time to personally determine the fate of humankind. Do you think you were put here for something less?' Chief Arvol Looking Horse. We exist in a world where the ultra-rich are getting richer, powered by a system we call 'the economy' which is serving to funnel power and value up to an ever-shrinking core of…

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Should You Write A Serial? | Ep. 289 | The Merry Writer Podcast 47:32

19d ago47:32

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you ever considered writing a serial? Today we are discussing the option of serial writing, where readers are forced to have delayed gratification as they way to learn "what happens next". In this episode, we cover: What is a serial? What are some of the benefits? What are some of the possible issues? Platforms you can uploa…

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Of Beetles' wings and Brittlestars: using Biomimicry to co-create a flourishing future with Michael Pawlyn 1:32:10

19d ago1:32:10

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By Accidental Gods

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Let the Wild Gods Rise! Bridging Between the Worlds with Jackie Morris and Tamsin Abbott 1:20:00

26d ago1:20:00

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Let the Wild Gods Rise. Easy to say and harder to do - but if you were offered a portal, a way to step into the other-worlds, to reconnect with all that we have been and could be, would you take it? If you're listening to this, you are likely steeped in the mechanical world of our culture - but it doesn't have to be like this. The other worlds are …

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Who Is C.H. Carter? | Ep. 288 | The Merry Writer Podcast 47:01

26d ago47:01

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Another guest joins us on the show this week! We're talking to fantasy author C.H. Carter about how she started as an author and her work. In this episode, we cover: Her inspiration Her writing process Her publishing journey and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give th…

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Can Morning Pages Help Your Writing? | Ep. 287 | The Merry Writer Podcast 22:38

1M ago22:38

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES We are at it again with another challenge. Today, we discuss our progress and results from writing Morning Pages. In this episode, we cover: What are Morning Pages? Why are Morning Pages encouraged? Rachel’s experience Ari’s experience Final thoughts As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comment…

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The Magic in the Tales we Tell: Living new Stories in Service to Life with Paddy Loughman 1:10:47

1M ago1:10:47

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How do the stories we tell ourselves and each other about ourselves, each other and our place in the web of life shape our world? How can we craft narratives that can shift the way we see and experience the world? Is this even the best leverage point to start off with or is there a deeper/wider/more effective acupuncture point we could explore as w…

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How Can You Make Your Characters Relatable? | Ep. 286 | The Merry Writer Podcast 22:49

1M ago22:49

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES You can't please everyone, but your readers should be able to relate to some of your fictional babies. But how do you do that? Well, that's what we're discussing this week. In this episode, we cover: What "relatable characters" mean How to develop your characters in a relatable way Keeping track of your characters Related Episode…

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A Dawning Mind: Exploring the science of spirituality with Dr James Cooke 1:19:28

1M ago1:19:28

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Why are we here? How do we think? What is the nature of life? What are the boundaries between ourselves and the rest of the living web—between ourselves and the rest of the universe across space and through time…and in the timeless, formless place from which everything arises? These are the big, foundational questions of our existence, and how we a…

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How Important Is Handwriting For Novel Writing? | Ep. 285 | The Merry Writer Podcast 23:57

2M ago23:57

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Do you handwrite any of your novel? Maybe the outline? How about the notes? Do you do any handwriting, outside perhaps the odd birthday card? Well, in today's episode, we discuss why it might be a good idea to write by hand more often. In this episode, we cover: What the science says Our thoughts on the growth of technology (yes,…

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Step by Radical Step: The Route to a Flourishing New Economy with Colleen Schneider 1:15:02

2M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

Our western (Trauma Culture) economies run on two falsehoods - we might go so far as to call them lies. The first is that economies have to grow to be 'successful'. The second is that government spending is limited by the tax take. That is, they need to take money in as taxes in order to spend it out into the economy. Both of these are untrue, and …

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Who Is Liz Shipton? | Ep. 284 | The Merry Writer Podcast 52:10

2M ago52:10

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, we're back with another author interview! Liz Shipton, a speculative fiction author, joins us to discuss her work. In this episode, we cover: Liz's creative process Themes she covers in her books How she sells her books direct and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments b…

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The Crisis and the Call: Journeys through Species-Wide Soul Initiation with Sara McFarland 1:11:21

2M ago1:11:21

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As the old system is splitting apart, a few brave souls are already working to hospice this old system, acting as Death Doulas to the Great Dying—as well as helping people to awaken the seeds of a new world within. One of these is our guest this week. Sara McFarland is a Soul Initiation and Wild Mind Mentor and Guide, Artist of Consciousness and a …

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What Is A Style Sheet And Why Do You Need One? | Ep. 283 | The Merry Writer Podcast 34:21

2M ago34:21

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today, we are looking at keeping consistent within our manuscripts, which is why we are all about Style Sheets In this episode, we cover: What is a style sheet? Why is it used? What can you add to your style sheet? and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast …

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Dreams as a Way of Life - Becoming a Good Relative with author Hilary Giovale 1:08:41

2M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Our Trauma Culture has spread across the globe with terrifying speed and ghastly efficiency. But the tide is turning and people of good heart in many nations are beginning to understand that what we need now is a move towards a 21st Century Initiation Culture. The language is often different, but at heart, this is where we need to go. Our guest thi…

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What Aesthetics Can You Create For Your WIP? | Ep. 282 | The Merry Writer Podcast 25:09

2M ago25:09

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES We all need to procrastinate on our writing once in a while, so why not create fun aesthetics for your WIP? This week, we discuss cool things for you to make that your readers will most likely enjoy, too! In this episode, we cover: Types of aesthetics you can make How you can make them How (and where) you can use them As always, …

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PopShift: Changing the global Narrative on all our screens with Romain Vakilitabar of Pathos Labs 1:18:08

2M ago1:18:08

1:18:08

We are a storied species: Everything we do arises from the stories we tell ourselves and each other about ourselves and each other and our relationship with the web of life. Our current polycrisis: the accelerating annihilation of our cultures and our biosphere arises out of a particular set of stories that tell us we're isolated individuals caught…

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How Do You Keep Your Creative Well? | Ep. 281 | The Merry Writer Podcast 34:22

3M ago34:22

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Sometimes, even the most prolific writers feel themselves struggling with inspiration and ideas. So what can we do when our creative well runneth dry? In this episode, we cover: What is the creative well What depletes the creative well Some methods for refilling the well and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us kn…

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Co-Evolving Humanity: Outgrowing Modernity with Vanessa and Giovanna Andreotti - and Tim Logan 1:52:37

3M ago1:52:37

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In this week's podcast I was honoured to join a four-way conversation between Giovanna and Vanessa de Oliveira Andreotti and Tim Logan of Future Learning Design Podcast, to celebrate the publication of Vanessa's new book, Outgrowing Modernity. Vanessa de Oliveira Andreotti is author of Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity's Wrongs and the Implicati…

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Who Is LB Carter? | Ep. 280 | The Merry Writer Podcast 1:01:47

3M ago1:01:47

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, we interview author LB Carter on her and her work. She talks about her many works, themes in her books, and more. In this episode, we cover: LB's start with writing Her writing process and routine Advice on promoting your work and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments b…

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From Darkness to Radiance: Lights On Learning with Julia Black 1:20:09

3M ago1:20:09

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In the midst of the Great Transformation, one of the most exciting changes taking place is in our capacity to find what makes our hearts sing - to find our flow, to find what it is that we can do best, that we can do with all our hearts and souls—that leaves us radiant; that lets us lead with our Heart Minds, letting our Head Minds relax into servi…

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Is Writing Daily A Good Habit? | Ep. 279 | The Merry Writer Podcast 28:19

3M ago28:19

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES We're back with another mini writing challenge. We've all heard the advice about the importance of writing daily. So, we decided we would take 30 days and writing every day. In this episode, we cover: How we had thought it would go Discussing weeks 1-5 What we learnt from this challenge As always, thanks for listening. Please let…

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Otterly Amazing! Common Sense Farming can feed us all with Charlie Bennett 1:23:47

3M ago1:23:47

1:23:47

“In a world where our wildlife is becoming extinct at a frightening rate, we are setting up an oasis where animals, wild flowers and even ancient fungi can thrive.” Charlie Bennett writing of Middleton North Farm. It's clear to most of us that the existing food and farming system is unsustainable. What's less clear is what to do about it, particula…

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How Do You Create A Book Press Release? | Ep. 278 | The Merry Writer Podcast 19:35

3M ago19:35

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Recently, we discussed creating an author media kit. To go along with that, we thought it'd be a good idea to discuss book press releases. This week, we're talking about how to create one for your latest release. In this episode, we cover: What a book press release is Why you should have one What to include in your press release …

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Be like Water: Becoming Nature Again with the River Dôn Project and Jonny Douglas 1:29:30

3M ago1:29:30

1:29:30

Water is our lifeblood and Clean Water (along with Clean Air and Clean Soil) is one of our core Three Asks, the non-negotiable baselines that underpin a flourishing future for people and life on our planet. Getting there, means everyone beginning to care at a bone-deep level, way beneath our conscious minds and having a sense of how we might get th…

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Do You Need A Time Budget? | Ep. 277 | The Merry Writer Podcast 18:37

3M ago18:37

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES We are back to talking about Productivity as we look at ways to find more time to write. We could all use more time, right? So, today we are discussing the benefits of a Time Budget. In this episode, we cover: What a time budget is How long to track your time Tracking your energy The importance of rest time and wiggle room and mo…

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People's Charter for People Power - with Katy Rubin and Oli Whittington of Our House 1:18:13

3M ago1:18:13

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We know that our 'democracy' is, in fact, a kleptocracy that is not fit for purpose IF that purpose is the continuation of complex life on earth. The sociopaths who have stolen control show no signs of shifting to something that works, so it's way past time that ordinary people across all walks of life embraced the tools of participatory democracy …

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How Do You Write The Blurb For Your Novel? | Ep. 276 | The Merry Writer Podcast 21:12

4M ago21:12

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Every book needs a blurb or how else are readers going to know what it's about? The blurb helps a reader decide to open the book to its first page and possibly buy it. This week, we're talking about book blurbs and how to write one. In this episode, we cover: Blurb vs. synopsis What to include in your blurb What to possibly avoid…

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Dancing the Path of the Inner Warrior with Diarmuid Lyng of Wild Irish Retreats 1:24:44

4M ago1:24:44

1:24:44

We're on the edge of a cliff and the way out is through - through the obfuscations and extractive values and downright lies of predatory capitalism. Through to authenticity, and integrity and finding language for how we can be who we really are, what our souls yearn to be. And that language is not always English. This week's guest, Diarmuid Lyng, s…

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Who Is Andrew McDowell? | Ep. 275 | The Merry Writer Podcast 37:55

4M ago37:55

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today, we welcome back author Andrew McDowell on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview. Andrew appeared on our Podcast way back at the beginning for episode 023 back in 2020. In this episode, we cover: His writing processes and writing style His inspiration Marketing tactics and mo…

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Still In the Eye of the Storm: Finding Calm and Stable Roots with Dan McTiernan of Being EarthBound 1:20:10

4M ago1:20:10

1:20:10

Our priority now is to find -and then embody - a sense of grounded stability, a sense of safety, a sense of embodied connection to the Web of Life... This is the single most important thing we can be doing to create a world we'd want to leave behind, and this week's guest, Dan McTiernan, is one of those who is leading courses, trainings and embodie…

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How Can You Create And Maintain A Writing Habit? | Ep. 274 | The Merry Writer Podcast 22:23

4M ago22:23

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Habits are never easy to maintain. Building a writing habit is just as tough. This week, we go over some ideas on how to keep the writing consistency going. In this episode, we cover: Knowing the difference between progress and procrastination Having a plan Find a writing buddy or group Being flexible and more! As always, thanks …

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Sit with the River, Breathe Sacred Smoke, Love with the World: Building a Bioregional world with Joe Brewer 1:21:01

4M ago1:21:01

1:21:01

How can Bioregionalism supplant the nation state as the natural unit of civilisation? Joe Brewer is living, breathing and teaching the ways we can work together with each other and the natural flows of water and life. We know that the current paradigm is breaking apart in real time, but how do we become the light that shines through the cracks? How…

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Solstice Meditation 2025 - Sun Stands Still - by Manda Scott 22:42

4M ago22:42

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Here is a meditation for the Solstice – the moment when the sun stands still. It is suitable for Summer and Winter solstice. You don't have to do this at the exact moment of stillness: it’s the connection that counts, the marking of the turning point from days lengthening to shortening (or vice versa if you’re in the southern hemisphere). This is a…

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Thoughts from the Solstice Edge: Turning the Page on a Dying System with Manda Scott 27:00

4M ago27:00

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As we head into the solstice- that moment when the sun stands still—whether you're in the northern hemisphere where we have the longest day, or the southern, where it's the longest night—this solstice feels like a moment of transformation. The world is turning over, turning a page. The old system is visibly—palpably—breaking apart. A new system wil…

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Does Using Comic Sans Make Writing Easier? | Ep. 273 | The Merry Writer Podcast 25:02

4M ago25:02

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES We have decided to do a few silly mini challenges, and we are starting with this one. One piece of (odd) advice that circulates the writing community every few years is the "miracle" of Comic Sans and how it can help you be motivated and get out of writer's block. So we decided to give it a try, and these are the results In this …

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Falling in Love with the Future - with author, musician, podcaster and futurenaut, Rob Hopkins 1:18:42

4M ago1:18:42

1:18:42

Our guest this week, Rob Hopkins, is a towering figure in the world of regenerative change. Co-founder of Transition Network and of Transition Town Totnes, he is host of the podcast 'From What if to What Next', stars in the groundbreaking French film 'Demain', speaks at TED Global and TEDx events and most recently, has created a collaborative music…

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How Do You Create An Author Media Kit? | Ep. 272 | The Merry Writer Podcast 34:45

5M ago34:45

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES If you have a book published and want to get your name out there more, then having an author media kit is a great place to start. This week, we discuss what an author media kit, and how to put one together. In this episode, we cover: Media kit vs. press kit vs. press release Why having an author media kit is important What to inc…

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ReWilding our Water: From Rain to River to Sewer and back with Tim Smedley, author of The Last Drop 1:34:05

5M ago1:34:05

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If you listen to this podcast for any length of time, you'll know that I believe the way forward is predicated on our finding shared values—I'd go for integrity, compassion, courage and generosity of spirit as the baselines—and then a suite of clear asks in the outer world and needs in the inner world. In logistical terms, at an absolute baseline, …

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Who Is John DeDakis? | Ep. 271 | The Merry Writer Podcast 51:00

5M ago51:00

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today, we are joined by author, writing coach and manuscript editor, John DeDakis on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview. In this episode, we cover: His writing processes and writing style Common mistakes authors make Social media and more! As always, thanks for listening. Please…

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This is how we build the future: Teaching Regenerative Economics at all levels with Jennifer Brandsberg-Engelmann 1:20:48

5M ago1:20:48

1:20:48

How do we let go of the sense of scarcity, separation and powerlessness that defines the ways we live, care and do business together? How can we best equip our young people for the world that is coming - which is so, so different from the future we grew up believing was possible? This week's guest, Jennifer Brandsberg-Engelmann is an educator, rege…

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Brilliant Minds: BONUS podcast with Kate Raworth, Indy Johar & James Lock at the Festival of Debate 1:53:10

5M ago1:53:10

1:53:10

We are honoured to bring to Accidental Gods, a recording of three of our generation's leading thinkers in conversation at the Festival of Debate in Sheffield, hosted by Opus. This is an unflinching conversation, but it's absolutely at the cutting edge of imagineering: this lays out where we're at and what we need to do, but it also gives us roadmap…

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What Are Some Useful Plugins For Your Author Website? | Ep. 270 | The Merry Writer Podcast 25:30

5M ago25:30

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Yes, we're back talking about author websites again! This time, we're discussing plugins you can add to improve your author website and make it more unique and easier for you to maintain. In this episode, we cover: What plugins are and where you can get them Cost of plugins 6 useful plugins you can use List of Plugins Mentioned C…

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Farm as Church, Land as Lover: Community. farming and food with Abel Pearson of Glasbren 1:16:50

5M ago1:16:50

1:16:50

We all know the future rests upon us building heart-grounded, spirit-led communities that link humanity to the Web of Life. We know that the key to this is building reciprocal relationships with our food and the land from which it comes. Doing this is…harder. So this week, we're speaking with Abel Pearson of Glasbren. Abel is a friend of the podcas…

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Should AI Be Used In The Writing Industry? | Ep. 269 | The Merry Writer Podcast 1:08:57

5M ago1:08:57

1:08:57

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We did it, we finally took the plunge and recorded an episode about AI. Is it ranty? Yes. Do we tangent all over the place? Also yes. Is it painfully long? Yes. We do still open some of you, give it a listen. Also, if you are a published author and have not checked already, please visit the Atlantic Link below and check to see if…

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Working from the Inside Out: Paths to Personal and Global Transformation with Renée Lertzman 1:09:54

5M ago1:09:54

1:09:54

We've known for decades that the 'Yell, Tell and Sell' strategy of belittling people, endeavouring to cajole—or shame—them into some kind of change doesn't work - in fact it can't work. It's not how we're wired. Cognitive neuroscience has been telling us this for decades but it's only recently that people have begun to listen. One of those who has …

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Should Authors Be On AllAuthor? | Ep. 268 | The Merry Writer Podcast 41:13

6M ago41:13

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES AllAuthor is a platform that's well known by some, but others have never heard of it. Rachel checked it out and discussed her findings with Ari to see if it's really worth it for authors be on. This week, we dissect the free account version of AllAuthor. In this episode, we cover: What AllAuthor is and what you can do there Paid …